urs."

Steadily Roger's eyes met the gaze of the doctor's little cold greyish
ones.

"I don't question your superior knowledge, doctor," he replied with
careful emphasis. "But I am not convinced that you were trying to
revive her. How do I know"--he paused a moment, then continued
slowly--"that you were not doing something to keep her unconscious?"

The suggestion amounted to a slap in the face. He watched keenly to
note the result, and saw the heavy figure draw itself up to its full
height, seeming at the same time to swell out. The broad face with its
sloping, flattish forehead betrayed little if any change of expression.

"You overreach yourself, Mr. Clifford. Your gross insinuation compels
me to go at once to Lady Clifford and inform her that I cannot remain
longer under the same roof with a person who has so offensively
outraged my professional dignity."

He was moving away when Roger stopped him with a gesture.

"I am afraid in the light of what has happened I must make it plain to
you that you are not to hold any communication with Lady Clifford for
the present. I must ask you to remain at the other end of this room
until I give you leave to withdraw."

A sudden gleam shot into the dull little eyes.

"May I ask by what authority you issue orders in this house?"

"I would prefer you didn't ask," retorted Roger with an unwavering
gaze, "because the only answer is an extremely direct one."

As he spoke he slipped his right hand into his pocket with a movement
there was no misunderstanding.

"This is intimidation, Mr. Clifford."

"You are at liberty to give it any name you like. The point is that
only by doing as I say can you avoid at the moment a legal
investigation."

A second or two elapsed while the doctor looked at him silently,
evidently considering the matter. Then without a word he turned and
walked heavily towards the fireplace, where he seated himself in the
big arm-chair. At this precise moment Miss Clifford came back into the
room with a basin of water and a towel. She glanced at the distant
figure of the doctor with slight surprise, then at Roger as though
scenting something amiss.

"He sent me to get these," she murmured uncertainly. "Is she coming
around?"

"You shouldn't have let him come near her," he returned, shaking his
head. "I thought you understood."

She glanced at him in distressed astonishment. Plainly her belief in
the doctor remained quite unshaken; she h